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  • From: "Chris Tilling" <christilling AT ukonline.co.uk>
  • To: corpus-paul AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: Dualisms in Paul
  • Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 08:08:30 -0400


At the moment I'm working through pauline dualisms. So, firstly, can
anyone recommend me a reading list?

The only book loosely related that I've come across is that by B. D.
Ingraffia "Postmodern Theory & Biblical Theology". He maintains that
applying postmodern deconstructive methods to the biblical dualistic texts
(particularly Paul) falters on the assumption that the Spirit/letter,
flesh etc. dualisms are metaphysical, in the order of what J. Derrida
would call "the history of western metaphysics". Instead, such biblical
dualisms are not about absolute metaphysical distinctions at all.
Certainly few Pauline dualisms are "absolute" but, I think however that it
is difficult to maintain a total distinction between Paul and the rest of
western metaphysics in the light of some Pauline passages that display all
the classic dualism of inward/outward, visible/invisible,
temporary/eternal. e.g.

(2 Cor 4:16-18 NRSV) So we do not lose heart. Even though our <i>outer</>
nature is wasting away, our <i>inner</> nature is being renewed day by day.
For
this slight <i>momentary</> affliction is preparing us for an <i>eternal</>
weight of
glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what <i>can be seen</> but at
what <i>cannot be seen</>; for what <i>can be seen is temporary</>, but what
<i>cannot be
seen is eternal</>.

Am I just anachronistically reading a modern dualistic worldview back into
Paul? And, I'd be interested to know if anyone thinks if the study of such
dualisms in Paul doesn't helps us to be more sensitive Pauline
interpreters.

Thanks,
Chris Tilling




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